Crime Blog

Jury deliberating in last Dallas City Hall corruption trial

A federal jury in the last trial of the largest public corruption investigation in Dallas history is deliberating the fate of Denton County builder Ron Slovacek.

Opening arguments began Nov. 1 in the trial of Slovacek, the last defendant in the now six-year-old investigation. Thirteen others have either pleaded guilty or been convicted of working with former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill to shake down affordable housing developers.

Attorneys gave closing arguments Friday and jurors began deliberating that afternoon. They did not reach a decision on the three counts — conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering — so deliberations continue today.